🚶♀️Gait analysis 🚶
“The gait cycle describes the cyclic pattern of movement that occurs while walking. Walking requires the healthy functioning of several body systems including the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. These systems provide balance, mobility and stability as well as higher cognitive function and executive control. A loss of healthy gait function can lead to falls, injuries, loss of movement and personal freedom, and a significantly reduced quality of life.”The two main phases of gait include:
📍The stance phase.
📍The swing phase.
The stance phase it can be described as the period between the moment that the heel of the foot touches the ground (heel strike) until the moment that the toe-off occurs. The stance phase consists of five subphases:
1. Heel strike.
2. Foot flat.
3. Midstance.
4. Heel-off.
5. Toe-off.
The swing phase is the second phase of gait when the foot is free to move forward. There are three subphases of the swing phase:
1. Initial swing (acceleration phase).
2. Mid-swing phase.
3. Terminal swing (deceleration phase).
🚨 Gait abnormalities 🚨
Short stride = psoas, quadriceps
Excessive pelvic rotation = psoas, rectus femoris
Kicking of leg = psoas, rectus femoris
Excessive heel strike = hamstrings, imbrication subluxation
Excessive pronation = tiabialis anterior, peroneus tertius
Poor plantar flexion: soleus, gastrocnemius, peroneus longus and brevis
Thigh cross over = adductors
Pelvic elevation = gluteus medius
Toe out = popliteus, flexor hallucis, opposite piriformis
Poor thing extension = gluteus maximus
Poor shoulder movement = thoracic fixation
Poor head movement = upper trapezius